Brazil is a big country, the entire continental USA fits within her borders. And it's a melting pot of races and cultures like ours. And like with us, the black population has a history of domination and oppression. But whereas Christianity has historically been the religion of descendents of African slaves here, there the religion flows directly from African roots and is called Candomble (can-dom-blay') It's mysteries are outside my experience, but it's a so important religion and many of Brazil's 'white' intellectuals, artists, and lay-people embrace it without reservation. It's maternal not patriarchal, it's consoling and giving. It is accepting of sexuality, including homosexuality, as natural and i'm pleased to know that it endures thru time and opposition. The Catholic church especially was determined to eradicate its practice among the former slaves, but the slaves were clever and hid miniatures of their gods under the saints images, so that every Catholic saint has a double identity with an african orixa. Today the evangelicals have joined in this oppression with their mission to suppress the love of dance, music, family and ritual that Candomble is. But Candomble is strong and survives, and I wish it well.

In spite of the intention of white europeans to dominate since Cabral 'discovered' Brazil in the 1500's, Brazilian culture is predominately a black culture- the food, the music, the dance, the celebration. And, if you like jazz or motown or even gospel and country, you're tapping into this culture's roots too. Even Elvis the King owed his fame to the fact he was a white boy who could sing and move like he was black. And if all that in some way ties back to Africa maybe it's something you too would be interested in knowing more about. Anthropologists say MotherAfrica is everyone's home. Ok, I just wanted to show that a Southern white boy might know more about afro-american /black world history than some might expect. Not only that, but to tell you that when I'm painting an image of a black guy , I'm painting with respect, admiration and love. The racial blend in Brazil is something I wish everyone who blindly fears a mixing of the races could see. The results can be breathtakingly beautiful and its acceptance creates a heart that is open, friendly and warm. It's not that I feel I do it justice, but only to say that it is an inspiration. The skin tones, the sensual features, the inner strength and outer, the history, the struggle, all of it is an inspiration.

It's also humbling, because here we are on ebay and how many images of black guys do you see going through? It makes my point exactly. I could care less if the painting sells. I just wish there were more on here like it, and better. So whether or not you're bidding, maybe you could just use the image as a reminder there's a world of beauty out there (and inside too), just a stone's throw beyond ignorance - look for it, find it, and nourish it.